Resident law‑enforcement officer urges county action on jail capacity; city offered $500,000 match

Adam Combs, who identified himself at the Nov. 21 Yellowstone County commissioners meeting as a member of law enforcement speaking as a private citizen, told the board the community is watching and urged the county to move quickly on jail capacity and youth services.

"I'm a member of law enforcement within Yellowstone County, and, I'm here as a private citizen speaking on a matter of, community concern," Combs said when he introduced himself and gave his Billings address. He said a video he posted about the issue had about 9,000 views and that veterans, deputies and other residents had reached out to him.

Combs asked whether other counties that send inmates to Yellowstone provide funding beyond supplying inmates. The presiding officer responded that sending counties typically pay a negotiated daily detention cost: "They, Adam, they just provide a cost of daily, detention." Commissioner Jones added that these arrangements are negotiated separately and that "the feds pay more," while the presiding officer said the sheriff handles specific rate details.

Combs also said Commissioner Austin had told him the city planned to match about $500,000 for a temporary holding facility. The presiding officer confirmed the county has received a city proposal, said staff had looked at it and that the county would forward the plan to an architect for review. On the record the presiding officer said the design likely will be permanent: "It'll likely need to be permanent and a permanent part of the addition," because a 25–30 bed, 72‑hour hold cannot be temporary in the long run. The meeting record also notes judges had discussed an arraignment court to speed weekend processing.

Combs emphasized he did not intend to return every week but wanted the subject kept "front of brain" with commissioners. The presiding officer thanked him for coming and the board adjourned when no further public comments were offered.

On the record: county officials did not provide contract figures or a timetable for construction; the city match amount was described in the meeting as "about $500,000" and the county said it will review the city's proposal and involve an architect before any final decisions are made.